Conveyor system propulsion rollers with releasable drive means

ABSTRACT

A conveyor system in which loads to be transported are supported on rollers is provided with a series of additional rollers releasably clutched to their supporting shafts and spring urged into contact with the loads to be transported. Each roller shaft is power rotatable in either direction through a compound speedreducing gear train to effect propulsion of such loads.

Unite States Patent l 13,631,964 [72] Inventors Ronald C. Hinman [56] ReferencosCited M 1 5 I UNITED STATES PATENTS g g fi g 'xg g zffig cmmd 2,234,162 3/1941 Anderson 193/127 9 9 [2]] App! No 55,787 2,602,536 7/1952 Eggleston 198/127 [22] Filed July 17, 1970 Primary Examiner-Edward A. Sroka [45] Patented Jan. 4, 1972 Att0rneyl-luebner & Worrel [73] Assignee Western Gear Corporation Lynwood, Calif.

ABSTRACT: A conveyor system 1n wh1ch loads to be transported are supported on rollers is provided with a series of ad- [54] CONVEYOR SYSTEM PROPULSION ROLLERS ditional rollers releasably clutched to their supporting shafts WITH RELEASABLE DRIVE MEANS and spring urged into contact with the loads to be transported. 5 Claims, 15 Drawing Figs. Each roller shaft is power rotatable in either direction through I 52 1 Us Cl I i u l I I 198/127 a compound speed-reducing gear train to effect propulsion of 51 1 1m. 01 B65g 13/02 such [50] Field ofSearch 198/127; 226/154; 214/84 PATENTEDJA! 4m 3,631,964

SHEET 5 [1F 7 I Rwy/920D. 151/4452 27 35 M ,MM/

PATENTED JAN 4 I972 3531 954 SHEET 6 OF 7 IN vszvroes. Rama .0 C. H/vMq/v fizz/020D MILLER Co/v/epo P/s TEL larvae/V596.

CONVEYOR SYSTEM PROPULSION ROLLERS WITH RELEASABLE DRIVE MEANS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention Roller-type conveyors for delivering loads from one location to another are in wide general use in the handling of baggage and cargo at air terminals, of merchandise in warehouses, and the like. In many instances the loads to be conveyed move over the surface of such conveyors by gravity, but in applications in which gravity or manual movement of loads along the conveyor is impractical, additional propulsion rollers have been incorporated into such systems and provided with spring means for urging them into contact with loads resting upon the conveyor and with power drive means for advancing such loads along the conveyor in either direction.

2. Description of the Prior Art In instances in which such power driving means have been provided, various arrangements have been proposed for facilitating manual or gravity movement of loads supported on the conveyor in the event of failure of the power-driving means for any reason.

Usually such arrangements have provided for moving the power-driven roller into and out of contact with the loads supported on the conveyor rollers. Various configurations operating in this way have been proposed, but their mechanical complexity has indicated a need for a simpler device fulfilling the requirements of such systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The principal object of the present invention is to provide a compact and mechanically simple roller driving unit which may be employed in series in roller conveyor systems to effect propulsion in either direction of loads supported on the conveyor rollers, but which may be disconnected from its power drive train and thereafter function merely as an auxiliary support roller for loads resting upon the associated conveyor rollers.

In order to apply sufficient power for the effective propulsion of loads in systems of the class described, the propulsion roller of each unit is driven by an electric motor, which preferably is reversible, through a compound speed-reducing gear train. The mechanical advantage afforded by such a gear train is such that it cannot be driven from the roller end and thus effectively locks the roller against rotation when the motor is stopped.

It being desirable to be able to move loads manually along conveyors of this type under certain circumstances, such as in the event of a power interruption, the present invention provides, in combination with a roller propulsionstructure such as has been described, a releasably engageable clutch disposed between the output end of such a compound speed-reducing gear train and the propulsion roller. Upon disengagement of this clutch, the roller is completely free to rotate and need not be moved out of engagement with the load in order to permit manual propulsion thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a plan view of a section of a conveyor system provided with a series of drive units embodying the present invention; the position of an object to be transported by the conveyor being indicated by a rectangle in broken lines;

FIG. 2 is a view in section of the conveyor shown in FIG. 1; the section being taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1, and the position of an object to be transported upon the conveyor being indicated in the same manner as in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view in plan of a driving unit embodying the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a view in side elevation of the driving unit of FIG. 3 as viewed from the line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a detail view, partly in section, of a spring assembly and associated elements employed in the unit illustrated in FIG. 4 to raise the drive element into driving engagement with the object to be moved along the conveyor; the spring assembly being illustrated as viewed from the plane indicated by the line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a detail plan view in section of the drive assembly for the drive roller as viewed from the plane indicated by the line 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a detail view in side elevation of the roller clutch assembly housing and control as viewed from the plane indicated by the line 7-7 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a plan view in section of the roller clutch assembly; the section being taken on the line 88 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a detail view in section of the bearing housing constituting an element of the roller clutch assembly of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a detail view in section of the bearing housing taken on the line 10--10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. I l is a detail view in end elevation of the clutch actuator;

FIG. 12 is a view in side elevation of a section of a conveyor system provided with a driving unit embodying the present invention but employing a modified form of spring means for pressing the drive roller into contact with the object to be transported;

FIG. 13 is a view in plan of the drive unit illustrated in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a detail view in section of a portion of the drive unit of FIG. 13, the section being taken on the line 14l4 of FIG. 13; and

FIG. 15 is a view in section corresponding to FIG. 14 but showing the parts in a different position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The power roller mechanism of the present invention is designed for incorporation in a conveyor system such as that a section of which is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. In such a system, loads such as cartons indicated in broken lines in FIGS. 1 and 2 at 15 are movable along a conveyor plane 17 (FIG. 2) defined by associated load-supporting means such as freely rotatable rollers 19 mounted in a common frame structure 21.

According to the present invention, additional propulsion roller units 25 are incorporated into such a system: such units being preferably disposed between parallel series of the rollers 19, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The propulsion roller units 25 of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, comprise a base 27 adapted to be attached as by bolts 29 to the conveyor frame 21. Pivotally mounted on the base 27 at 31 is rockable frame 33 carrying a propulsion roller 35.

Spring means are provided for urging the roller 35 into the plane 17 (FIG. 2) defined by the associated load-supporting means comprising the rollers 19, so that upon power rotation of the roller 35 as hereinafter described, it will frictionally engage and propel the load 15 in one direction or the other depending upon the direction of rotation of the roller 35.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, this means comprises a cylinder 37 secured to the base 27 by means such as studs 39 and brackets 41 secured to the cylinder 37. Contained within the cylinder 37 is a compressed spring 45 (FIG. 5) abutting at each end an anchor disk 47 to each of which is secured a shaft 49 havinga threaded end 51 passing through a central aperture in the anchor disk 47 and secured thereto by a nut-andwasher assembly 52. At the opposite end of each of the shafts 49 is a cam member 53 the horizontal lower surface of which is supported by a roller 55 joumaled in a bracket 57 integral with the base 27. The upper sloping surface 59 of the member 53 engages a roller 61 joumaled in the rocking frame 33.

This arrangement is such that upon expansion of the spring 45 to its maximum extent, as shown in FIG. 5, the member 53 will cam the rocking frame 33 to its uppermost position, as shown in full lines in FIGS. 4 and 5, thus resiliently urging the roller 35 into the plane 17 defined by the associated rollers 19 and into contact with the load such as indicated at 15. Depending, however, upon the weight of the load 15, the spring may be compressed more or less by the lowering of the rocking frame 33 to, for example, the position in which it is shown in broken lines in FIGS. 4 and 5.

An alternative embodiment of the spring means for urging the drive roller into the plane 17 defined by the associated load-supporting rollers 19 is illustrated in FIGS. 12 to 15. In the configuration there illustrated, the power roller unit comprises a base to which there is pivoted at 67 a rocking frame 69 carrying a power roller 71. Adjacent its end remote from the pivotal axis 67, the rocking frame 69 is provided with laterally opposite spring pads 73. The base 65 is provided with complementary opposite spring pads 75, and springs 77 are compressed between the spring pads 73-75 at each side of the rocking frame 69.

Centrally of the rocking frame 69 between the pads 73 are integral ears 81 between which is joumaled at 83 a link 85 which is pivotally connected at its opposite end at 87 to a pitman 89 secured to a shaft 91 joumaled in ears 93 in the base 65. Adjacent its opposite end, the shaft 91 has integral therewith an arm 95 (FIG. 13) adapted to contact a stop 97 to limit its rocking movement and thus limit the upward movement of the rocking frame 69. In all other respects, the structure of the unit illustrated in FIGS. 12 to 15, inclusive, is identical with that illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 11, inclusive, although illustrated only diagrammatically.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 to 11, the device of the present invention also comprises power means carried by the rollermounting means for rotating the roller, which means includes an electric motor and a compound speed-reducing gear train connecting the motor with the roller. As shown in FIG. 3, this means comprises an electric motor 101 mounted in the rocking frame 33 and, as shown in FIG. 6, the motor 101 drives a compound speed-reducing gear train comprising a spur gear 103 secured to the shaft 105 of the motor 101 and meshing with a planet gear 107 rotatably mounted on a stub shaft 109 carried by a spider 111. The plane gear 107 also meshes with an internal ring gear 113 fixed within the rocking frame 33.

The spider 111 which is rotatably mounted on a shaft 115 is secured to a spur gear 117 also mounted on the shaft 115. The spur gear 117 meshes with a second planet gear 119 mounted on a stub shaft 121 carried by a spider 123 which is likewise rotatably mounted on the shaft 115. The planet gear 119 also meshes with the ring gear 113.

The spider 123 is integrally connected by way of a joumaled hub 125 to a spur gear 127 which transmits its rotation through an idler gear 129 to a spur gear 131 secured to a shaft 133 joumaled in the rocking frame 33. A spur gear 135 is also secured to the shaft 133 and meshes with a planet gear 137 joumaled on a stub shaft 139 carried by a spider 141 also journaled in the rocking frame 33. The planet gear 137 also meshes with an internal ring gear 143 secured against rotation within the rocking frame 33 as by pin 145. A sleeve extension 147 of the spider 141 is internally splined to receive the externally splined end of a shaft 149 upon which the drive roller 35 is rotatably mounted.

As shown in FIG. 8, the shaft 149 is rotatably supported adjacent its opposite end in a sleeve 151 which in turn is rotatably mounted within a bearing 153 secured within a bearing support housing 155 bolted to the rocking frame 33 at 157.

The sleeve 151 is connected at one end thereof to the roller 35 by mating splines 161 on the sleeve 151 and on a spacer 163 secured to the roller 35. At its opposite end the sleeve 151 is provided with a plurality of teeth 165 which are shaped so that when they are engaged by mating driving teeth, as hereinafter described, the sleeve 151 may be rotated in either direction to drive the roller 35 in either direction.

As also shown in FIG. 8, the end of the shaft 149 remote from its driven end is provided with a plurality of keyways 171 and a movable clutch element 173 is provided with mating keys 175 which are received in the keyways 171; the arrangement being such as to permit axial movement of the clutch element 173 with respect to the shaft 149 while causing the clutch element to rotate with the shaft. A spring 177 is compressed between a rim 179 of the clutch element 173, and a disk 181 abutting a pin 183 secured in the shaft 149. The clutch element 173 is provided with a plurality of teeth 185 adapted to engage the teeth 165 of the sleeve 151 to drive the roller 35 in either direction according to the direction of rotation of the shaft 149.

Longitudinally slidable within the bearing support housing 155 is a clutch actuator 187, a spring 189 compressed between an external flange 191 on the clutch actuator 187 and a ring 193 secured within the bearingsupport housing 155 by means such as a snapring 195 urges the clutch actuator 187 rightwardly, as viewed in FIG. 8.

As shown in FIG. 8 and in detail in FIGS. 9 and 10, the interior of the bearing support housing 155 is provided with a pair of flanges 201 each extending over about l20 of the internal circumference of the bearing support housing and terminating at each end in a cam surface 203. As also shown in FIG. 8 and in detail in FIG. 11, the clutch actuator 187 is provided with a pair of extensions 205 each terminating at its opposite ends in cam surfaces 207. The extensions 205 are dimensioned to fit between the ends of the internal flanges 201 of the bearing support housing 155, and the cam surfaces 207 are complementary to the cam surfaces 203.

This arrangement is such that when the clutch actuator 187 is rotated with respect to the bearing support housing 155 to a position in which the extensions 205 of the clutch actuator 187 engage the internal flanges 201 of the bearing support housing 155, the clutch actuator 187 will be cammed leftward, as viewed in FIG. 8, to the position shown in that figure. Such leftward movement of the clutch actuator 187 causes an internal flange 209 thereof to engage an external flange 211 of the clutch element 173 and move the same leftwardly, as viewed in FIG. 8, to the position shown in that figure in which the teeth 185 of the clutch element 173 are disengaged from the teeth 165 of the sleeve 151. When the parts are in this position, the. roller 35 may be freely rotated with respect to the shaft 149 upon which it is joumaled.

When, however, the clutch actuator 187 is rotated with respect to the bearing support housing 155 to a position in which the extensions 205 of the clutch actuator 187 lie in the spaces between the internal flanges 201 of the bearing support member 155, the spring 189 will cause the clutch actuator 187 to move rightwardly, as viewed in FIG. 8, and the spring 177 will move the clutch element 173 rightwardly, as viewed in FIG. 8, engaging the teeth 185 of the clutch element 173 with the teeth 165 of the sleeve 151. When the parts are in such a position, the roller 35 cannot be rotated with respect to the shaft 149, but will be driven in one direction or the other as the shaft 149 is driven by the motor in one direction or the other.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, an operating member 215 is secured, as by a screw 217, to the clutch actuator 187. The member is provided with a radially extending lug 219 which is adapted to engage either of two lugs 221 spaced about 120 apart on the bearing support housing 155. This arrangement is such that when the member 215 with its lug 219 is in the position in which it is shown in dotted lines in FIG. 7, the clutch actuator 187 will be positioned with respect to the bearing support housing 155 so that the teeth 185 of the clutch element 173 will engage the teeth 165 of the sleeve 151, whereas when the clutch actuator 187 is positioned with respect to the bearing support housing 155 so that the lug 219 engages either of the lugs 221, the teeth 185 of the clutch element 173 will be disengaged from the teeth 165 of the sleeve 151.

For operation from a remote station, the member 215 is il- Iustrated in FIGS. 3 and 7 as provided with an extension 225 opposite the lug 219 provided with an aperture 227 by means of which it is connected to a rod 229 extending to an accessible location for operation of the clutch actuator 187.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A power roller mechanism for propelling loads along a conveyor plane defined by associated load-supporting means comprising a drive roller, means mounting said roller adjacent said plane including spring means urging said roller into said plane, power means carried by said roller-mounting means and including a pair of separable clutch elements for rotating said roller, and means for separating said clutch elements to disengage said roller from said power means.

2. A power roller mechanism according to claim 1 in which the power means for rotating said roller comprises an electric motor and a compound speed-reducing gear train between said motor and said roller and in which the means for disengaging the same from said power means effects such disengagement between said roller and said compound speedreducing gear train.

3. A power roller mechanism for propelling loads along a conveyor plane defined by associated load-supporting means comprising a cylindrical drive roller having a central supporting shaft rotatable with respect thereto, means rotatably mounting said shaft and roller adjacent said plane including spring means urging said roller into said plane, power means carried by said mounting means and including an electric motor and a compound speed-reducing gear train between said motor and said shaft for rotating said shaft, and clutch means for selectively engaging or disengaging said shaft and said roller.

4. A power roller mechanism according to claim 3 in which said clutch means comprises a driving element keyed to said shaft and axially movable with respect thereto, a driven element rotatably carried on said shaft and connected to said roller in rotational driving engagement therewith, spring means urging said driving and driven elements into interengagement, means comprising a clutch actuator carried by said mounting means in surrounding relationship with respect to said driving element for controlling said clutch means and including cam means effective upon rotational movement of said clutch actuator with respect to said mounting means for disengaging said driving element from said driven element.

5. A power roller mechanism according to claim 4 in which said cam means is effective upon rotational movement in either direction with respect to said mounting means to disengage said driving element from said driven element. 

1. A power roller mechanism for propelling loads along a conveyor plane defined by associated load-supporting means comprising a drive roller, means mounting said roller adjacent said plane including spring means urging said roller into said plane, power means carried by said roller-mounting means and including a pair of separable clutch elements for rotating said roller, and means for separating said clutch elements to disengage said roller from said power means.
 2. A power roller mechanism according to claim 1 in which the power means for rotating said roller comprises an electric motor and a compound speed-reducing gear train between said motor and said roller and in which the means for disengaging the same from said power means effects such disengagement between said roller and said compound speed-reducing gear train.
 3. A power roller mechanism for propelling loads along a conveyor plane defined by associated load-supporting means comprising a cylindrical drive roller having a central supporting shaft rotatable with respect thereto, means rotatably mounting said shaft and roller adjacent said plane including spring means urging said roller into said plane, power means carried by said mounting means and including an electric motor and a compound speed-reducing gear train between said motor and said shaft for rotating said shaft, and clutch means for selectively engaging or disengaging said shaft and said roller.
 4. A power roller mechanism according to claim 3 in which said clutch means comprises a driving element keyed to said shaft and axially movable with respect thereto, a driven element rotatably carried on said shaft and connected to said roller in rotational driving engagement therewith, spring means urging said driving and driven elements into interengagement, means comprising a clutch actuator carried by said mounting means in surrounding relationship with respect to said driving element for controlling said clutch means and including cam means effective upon rotational movement of said clutch actuator with respect to said mounting means for disengaging said driving element from said driven element.
 5. A power roller mechanism according to claim 4 in which said cam means is effective upon rotational movement in either direction with respect to said mounting means to disengage said driving element from said driven element. 